Tracking

The adjustment of space between letters in a word or block of text.

What is Tracking?

Tracking, also known as letter-spacing, is a typography term that refers to the overall spacing between characters in a word or block of text. It affects the visual density and readability of text.

Example: Increasing tracking can make headlines more airy and impactful, while decreasing tracking can make body text feel more compact and efficient.

Usage: Tracking is used to improve the readability and visual appeal of text. Designers adjust tracking to create different effects, such as emphasizing headlines, balancing white space, and enhancing the overall tone and style of a design.

Tracking vs. Kerning

Kerning adjusts the spacing between two specific characters, while tracking adjusts the spacing uniformly across a range of characters.

Tracking vs. Leading

Leading affects the vertical space between lines of text, while tracking affects the horizontal space between characters within a line.

Tracking vs. Letter-spacing

Letter-spacing is a CSS property that adjusts character spacing, similar to tracking in design software.

Realted Terms

Kerning: The process of adjusting the spacing between two specific characters.

Leading: The vertical space between lines of text.

Typography: The overall style and appearance of text.

Typesetting: The art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing.

Font Family: The weight, width, and style of a typeface.

Tracking FAQs

How is tracking measured?

Tracking is measured in units called ems, which are relative to the font size. For example, a tracking value of 100 increases the spacing by 1 em, while -100 decreases it by 1 em.

What is considered good tracking?

The ideal tracking for a given text depends on various factors like font size, typeface, text length, and medium. Experimentation and visual judgment are key.

What happens if tracking is too tight or too loose?

Overly tight tracking can make text difficult to read by merging letters together, while excessively loose tracking can make it feel disjointed and hard to follow.

Does tracking impact readability?

Yes, tracking can affect readability, especially for lengthy texts. Tighter tracking might be suitable for headlines, while looser tracking can enhance readability for body copy.

Why do designers adjust tracking?

Designers adjust tracking to achieve visual harmony, improve readability, create emphasis, and influence the overall tone and feel of the typography.